ALPURT set to be first toll road under new Act
ALPURT set to be first toll road under new Act
The building and funding of ALPURT will be the Trojan horse, with the Orewa to Puhoi state highway set to become New Zealand’s first toll road under the new Land Transport Management Act, Auckland City Mayor Hon John Banks said today.
Mr Banks’ comments follow news from Transit New Zealand and the Rodney District Council that the construction date of ALPURT has been brought forward by two years to 2004. The highway could now be completed by 2008.
“This is not just good news for Rodney locals and Auckland holiday-makers. This is a significant break through for the region as it works with urgency to complete its motorway network with integrated public transport.
“The announcement to start ALPURT as early as next year is testament of the usefulness of the legislation passed last week. It is also a good sign that a public-private partnership could build, own and toll the Eastern Transport Corridor.
“ALPURT is not the end. It is only the
beginning of initiatives like tolling to enable Auckland to
complete its network sooner rather than later. The region
continues to work with the Government on a funding package
that will see other much-needed projects fast-tracked.” Mr
Banks
said.